Emedolu, Onyali out of Olympics

The Athletics Federation of Nigeria (AFN) has announced the names of athletes that will represent Nigeria at the summer Olympics in Athens. Notable absentees include Mary Onyali and Uchenna Emedolu. Nigeriasports.com can report.

The duo missed the just concluded trials in Abuja due to injury and the AFN president, Dan Ngerem has said there is no going back.

“What happened is a tragedy. It is most unfortunate that such a thing should happen. But it will amount to reversing myself if they are named. Our rule on selection stands,” Ngerem told journalists in Abuja on Saturday.

Picked for the women’s 100 metres are Endurance Ojokolo, Damilola Osayemi, Mercy Nku, Gloria Kemasuode, Chinedu Odozor and Pauline Ibeagha.

The men’s version led by the country’s fastest man, Tamunosiski Atorudibo, are All Africa Games champion, Deji Aliu, Afro-Asian Games champion, Olu Fasuba, Ambrose Ezenwa, Aaron Egbele and Chinedu Oriala.

In the women’s 400 metres event are Gloria Nwosu, Christian Ekpukhon, Ngozi Nwokocha, Alimat Ismaila, Mabel Madujemu and Omolade Akinremi.

The new 400 metres sensation, Saul Weigopwa, is at the head of the men’s team that also includes Goddy James, Bola Lawal, Enefiok Udo-Obong, Musa Audu and Abayomi Agunbiade.

Nigeriasports.com can authoritatively report that, only Weigopwa looks likely to pick the Olympic Games ticket in the 400 metres class as the athletes for the event must ensure qualification in the African Championships starting in Brazzaville, Congo on Wednesday.

Weigopwa was the only one who met the AFN standard of 45.50 seconds as he clocked 45 seconds dead to win the quartermile in Abuja on Saturday.

If the 4x400 metres relay teams which will be fighting for one of the 16 slots at the games fail to record a good time that will qualify them for the event, only 13 athletes, the selected [12] in the 100 metres and Weigwopa, will be in Athens.

Aside from running the 100 metres flat, some of the sprinters will also feature in the 200 metres while the top four will feature in the 4x100 metres relay. The remaining two in each team will serve as reserves.